AUSTRALIAN MARRIAGE EQUALITY
Media Release
Wednesday April 24th 2013
A recent poll of members of the South Australian Lower House shows support for recognition of same-sex marriage from the leaders of both major parties – Of the 29 Lower House MPs who replied to the poll, 19 support recognition of same-sex marriages
Marriage equality advocates welcome the results of a poll of state Members of Parliament conducted by journalist Lainie Anderson last week which showed growing support for recognition of same-sex marriages in South Australia.
The poll asked members of the Lower House whether they support idea of gay marriage. Of the 29 members who replied to the poll, an overwhelming majority of 19 members said they were in support.
South Australian convenor of Australian Marriage Equality, Harley Schumann, said,
“The recent poll shows that there is wide support among members of the South Australian Parliament for action on this issue and that there is a very real possibility for recognition of same-sex marriage in South Australia in the very near future.”
“There is clearly already a great deal of support but we are going to do our best to ensure that support continues to grow.”
“South Australia has a proud history of pioneering social justice reforms and the current support in the State Parliament for marriage equality shows that this state may also lead the way for marriage reform in Australia.”
“Given that there are 47 members of the Lower House, that means that only 5 of the remaining 18 members who did not respond to the poll would need to support same-sex marriage in order for there to be a clear majority in the South Australian Lower House.”
“There was a high rate of support from both major parties and from independents, showing that marriage equality is no longer an issue determined by party lines.”
Mr Schumann said the support from both major parties seen in this poll reinforces the need for politicians to be permitted a conscience vote on the issue.
“The members of Parliament have voiced their personal beliefs on marriage equality and it would be improper for any party to silence these views by denying them a conscience vote on the issue.”
For more information contact Harley Schumann on 0414 839 753.
Harley Schumann
South Australian Convenor
South Australians for Marriage Equality
In conjunction with Australian Marriage Equality